Pittsburgh Steelerstight end Xavier Grimble participates at a practice session on the opening day of Organized Team Activities at the UPMC Rooney Sports Complex on Tuesday, May 22, 2018 in Pittsburgh. Barry Reeger | Special to PennLive (Barry Reeger)

LATROBE -- Steelers tight end Xavier Grimble made a catch during Sunday's practice that brought the NFL's new catch rule into play.

The referees called it a touchdown, causing the offensive players to celebrate and the defense to loudly disagree. Cornerback Mike Hilton jumped to his feet from where he was sitting on his helmet and yelled to the officials, "How much are they paying you?"

Coach Mike Tomlin addressed the play after practice, saying he'd have to watch film to determine if the referees made the right call. On Tuesday, he was asked if he had a chance to view the tape.

"I did," he said. "Touchdown. New catch rule."

The play was controversial because when Grimble hit the ground after hauling in a Landry Jones pass, the ball became dislodged.

It brought to mind Jesse James' overturned touchdown during last season's loss to the Patriots. After review, officials determined it wasn't a catch because James lost control of the ball as he went to the ground.

The new rule says players no longer have to maintain control of the ball throughout the process of going to the ground. Tomlin, though, said the rule wasn't the reason Grimble's catch was called a touchdown because the referees were local, not NFL officials.

He added that he believes all of the "catch rule" plays have been called correctly on the filed. James' catch was initially ruled a touchdown.